In the end, the loss of three key defenders proved too much for the Brisbane Lions as Carlton held on for a 13-point AFL victory at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The Blues talls threatened to run amok in the absence of Daniel Merrett, Justin Clarke (suspended) and last-minute withdrawal Mitch Golby (suspected foot) as Carlton jumped to a 32-point second-term lead.

Remarkably, Brisbane fought back to grab a three-point halftime advantage.

But the Blues weren’t to be denied, shutting out the Lions 13.20 (98) to 12.13 (85) in front of a crowd of 24,037.

It may not avenge their NAB Cup pre-season grand final loss to Brisbane but Carlton (5-4 record) still received a welcome shot in the arm with their fifth win in six games that keeps them in the top-eight mix.

The fight that sealed a shock last-round 10-point win over Essendon was again evident for the Lions (3-6) but unfortunately for the hosts not the result as they were left to rue their depleted defensive stocks.

Despite their shock pre-season cup final loss to Brisbane, Carlton would have arrived at the Gabba full of confidence after winning their last four games against the Lions by an average of 61 points.

Still, Brisbane kept their hopes of notching their first win over the Blues since round two, 2010 alive by reeling in a daunting second term lead.

Carlton led 6.5 (41) to 3.1 (19) at the first break before Jarrad Waite and Jeff Garlett notched their second goals each to blow the visitors’ advantage beyond five goals.

However, the Lions clawed their way back to a 9.4 (58) to 8.7 (55) halftime lead thanks to a three-goal burst capped by a sublime Jack Redden snap.

The Blues steadied to lead by 15 points at the final break before ensuring the Lions left their home ground empty handed.

For the Blues, Chris Judd had 26 touches while Waite and Kane Lucas each had three goals.

For the Lions, Simon Black had 21 disposals and Rohan Bewick three majors.

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